Without a Hitch(112)

I could feel weak in this moment, but watching her, knowing what she did, all I feel is pride. Pride that when I’m down, she steps up, and pride in the knowledge that I will always be there to lift her up when she needs me. Forever.

“Plus, they messed with Kitty. And she…” Every muscle in my body goes tense as Tilly gets choked up. “She said she was proud of me. Like—like a daughter-in-law.” She sniffles and glances away.

If my mother were here right now, I’d hug the life right out of her. I haven’t told my family about Tilly’s history, so she has no idea how much a statement like that would mean to someone like Tilly.

But the Westbrooks and I do.

Holding out my hand, I beckon her closer. When I can reach her, I tug her to me and kiss her softly.

“Soon, darling. I’ll fulfill my promise soon.”

Until this moment, I hadn’t thought about a timeline. I just assumed we’d go through the motions and let things play out naturally. But watching Tilly, feeling her emotions, I get why it’s so important to her. She needs that family, and I’ll go to the ends of the Earth to be the one to give it to her.

There’s a knock on the door, and John Ross pokes his head in. Bloody fucket. This can’t be good.

“We’ll get out of your way. We’re headed back soon anyway,” Colton explains. He leans in for a hug and whispers, “I’m happy for you. Tilly’s a great girl. Take care of her. Welcome to our chaos, man! You’re part of the family now.”

Emotion I’m not accustomed to clogs my throat. “Thanks.”

Colton steps back, and Preston’s stern face comes into view. He has a smile in place, but his eyes tell a different story. Bending down, he doesn’t even try to whisper. “Tilly is my wife’s baby sister. If you hurt her, I will ruin you. Their other sisters will rip off your balls and then watch you choke on them. Don’t fuck this up.”

I know he’s deadly serious, but I can’t help but laugh because one of her sisters did give me an almost identical warning. “No need to worry, Papa Preston. I’m in for the long haul. What is it you always say, Tilly? Without a hitch? Yeah, we may stumble a little, but our happily ever after will go off without a hitch, I promise you that.”

Preston scans my eyes for sincerity. When he finds it, he winks, and it transforms his entire face.

“Good. Welcome to the family then.”

John Ross steps to the side to let the Westbrooks pass. When the door closes behind them, he casts a questioning expression my way. “I hear you’ve had quite the scare.”

“It could have been worse. But the doctors have the infection under control, and I’ll be out of here before you know it. Who knew you didn’t actually need your appendix for anything?” I chuckle, but it’s not reciprocated, and I tell him what he needs to hear. “Nothing will change with Ross Winery. I promise you that.”

“I know,” he says solemnly. “Tilly filled in Doreen this morning. That’s why I’m here.” Tilly squeezes my hand, but panic rises deep in my chest. “Doreen and I had a long talk after she got off the phone with Tilly. I wouldn’t have believed Christine’s story, not after getting to know you, but I wanted you to know you’re not the first businessman to get taken by a con.”

He’s staring at the floor when he talks, and when he glances up, realization hits. “They got you too. That’s how they’re operating on your property.”

He nods, shame causing his shoulders to slump. “More like blackmail for something I did when I was younger.”

Tilly releases my hand and rounds the bed with graceful speed to wrap the older man in a giant hug. “This was not your fault, John Ross. You hear me? We all make mistakes when we’re younger.

Trust me. I’m never allowed in Shooters again after a bar-top dance gone bad in college. That doesn’t mean it’s okay to exploit them. Those two preyed on good people. Who knows how many others? I will not stand for you feeling guilty about it for even one more second.”

John pats her back affectionately, casting a look of gratitude my way. “Is it true they were arrested?”

Tilly laughs, and it frees my soul. “Handcuffs and chains. I saw it myself. And with the amount of information we gave to the FBI, they’ll be locked up for a very long time.”

He leans down and kisses Tilly on the cheek. “You’re one remarkable lady, you know that?

Because of you, Doreen and I are heading into retirement with a clean slate. Nothing chasing us.”

“You’re free to live out your best happily ever after, John. Send me a postcard?”

He chuckles, and I see the effect Tilly has had on him. He’s lighter than he was when he walked in. She is truly magical. “I’ll send you a postcard, but something tells me you’re in for one hell of a happily ever after yourself.”

“She is. I promise.” When Tilly turns to me, I wink and mouth, “I’m not done with you.”

And truthfully, I don’t think I ever will be.





C HAPTE R 45

TILLY

Three Months Later

“H ey, Titty! Your prince is here,” Mable calls up through the floorboards.

“Would you like to come say hello, Mable?” I laugh, shouting back. Because that’s what you do with Mable. You yell to each other through the floorboards.